Akara is a delicious meal that is usually taken for breakfast in Nigeria. It is also known as Bean cake or bean buns.
Though this meal has increasingly become popular amongst many tribes and even countries in West Africa, it is believed to have originated from the Yoruba tribe in Nigeria.
Akara bangs harder when it is taken with a loaf of soft, freshly baked bread, or a bowl of Akamu (pap.) However, it can also be taken as an appetizer or as a comforting snack.
This meal is not only delicious, but it is also easy to prepare and packed with nutrients.
If quick and healthy meals are your thing, you are at the right place, just keep reading.
Ingredients For Akara
- Beans
- Onions
- Scotch Bonnet Chillies
- Salt
- Bouillion cubes
- Water
How To Prepare Akara:
- Soak beans for about 3o minutes to soften. A quick tip to know when the beans is soft, the skin of the beans will appear swollen.
- Peel off the beans; you can either use your hand, a mortar, or a blender. A blender gets the peels very quickly without leaving a lot of mess.
- Blend the peeled beans with the onions, and scotch bonnet chilies.
- Add a little salt and some bouillon cube to taste, to the blended mixture.
- Preheat the oil.
- Scoop the batter using a tablespoon, into the hot oil.
- Deep fry on medium heat until golden brown.
Tip:
- Ensure you blend the beans with very little water. A thick batter is needed, not a runny one.
- Incorporate air into the bean batter before frying using a whisk or wooden spoon.
- Regulate the hotness of the oil when frying. If the oil is too hot, it will burn the bean fritters and may result in false cooking leaving the inside undercooked.
Health Benefits of Akara:
Akara is made with beans which is a good source of antioxidants and fibers. Also, Akara helps to reduce your chances of having cancer, heart diseases and even stroke.
A serving of Akara contains:
- Calories: 70Kcal
- Cholesterol: 1mg
- Protein: 1g
- Carbohydrate: 4g
- Fat: 6g
- Sodium: 143mg
- Saturated fat: 4g
- Sugar: 1g
- Calcium: 6g
- Iron: 1g
